I hate running!

For those of you who may not know...I hate running! While I grew up being super active and playing sports constantly, I have always hated just going out and running. Well...once you are out of high school and college, your options significantly decrease for participating in a team sport. As a result, I have to take it upon myself to get my butt off the couch and get fit! Trust me...that is sometimes a battle that is HARD to win.

However, when I consider all the benefits of working out, it definitely helps me find my motivation. There are many ways to work out beyond just running, but for right now that is my avenue since I don't have a gym membership currently. I figure if I can prove to myself to develop a workout routine and stick with it, then maybe I could justify getting a gym membership because if I'm paying for it, I'm gonna need to use it! I have also discovered this awesome organization/app called Charity Miles, which gives me yet another reason to run. I run because it makes a difference. It may be small, but if everyone contributes a small difference....that small turns into a BIG.

http://www.charitymiles.org/

I know it's tough to find time to workout during our crazy life schedules that we cram full of everything we possibly can until we are too exhausted to even think about changing into our athletic shorts and nike kicks. Despite life's craziness, I have set the goal for me to run every day this week. While that may not seem like a big deal to some, it is a HUGE deal for me. I am determined to develop a routine to stay in shape! Start by setting a small goal for yourself and find someone to hold you to it. My husband, Bo, has agreed to do the same, so we will check in with each other to see if we are staying true to our goal and not making excuses.

I've created a list of some of the amazing benefits that come from working out. When I bear these in mind, I realize how much it impacts my life and it motivates me to want it MORE!

• improves health on multiple levels
• strength (physically, emotionally, and spiritually)
• sense of accomplishment
• desire to eat lots of healthy food, which has additional benefits
• great time to burn off steam and think
• sets example for others around you of what you can do if you put your mind to it!
• able to do activities that require a lot of strength and endurance
• body that feels so ALIVE!

Now find your motivation and let's GET 'R' DONE!!!!!!

More than we could ever ask for!

It has been incredible to watch our "new" life unfold bit by bit here in San Diego! Bo is finishing up his five weeks of intensive training for his new job. He has been acing anatomy tests and getting signed off on doing da Vinci sugeries, and I am so proud of all his work! He is looking forward to seeing his medical lab at UCSD and start training doctors in March. 

The da Vinci Surgical System that Bo will be training doctors on

The other bonus is that I am working just a couple miles down the street from him now! YAY! I was able to start my new job this past week at National University's headquarters in Torrey Pines. I am once again an admissions advisor (which is what I was before we moved), but now I get to work 8-5 hours and have the opportunity of working at the headquarters. It is nice not to have to relearn a whole new job, but rather just adjust to the specifics of how things are done in San Diego.

My commute to work

 I am so thankful and amazed to see how God has provided immensely for us!!!! In all the little pieces that create our new life here in San Diego, it is so evident that God has been at work in making it all come together! Even just looking back over the past couple months, we are so in awe of how he has provided more than we could ever ask for!!! This transition started to happen quickly over the holidays, and it has smoothly evolved into our new life that we are falling in love with. 

Aside from work, Bo and I got to spend the long weekend last week exploring the new area we live in. Everything from little food spots in downtown Del Mar to the beach to hikes in Torrey Pines to beautiful views all over, we are so excited to continue our own adventures! 

Del Mar

I'll keep you posted as the adventure continues!

Whirlwind of Transition

Well....as my dad put it perfectly, "There is never a dull moment with you two!" And that is the case yet again because we just moved to San Diego for Bo's new job. Bo had been looking for a new job in the Ventura County area for a few months, but there were very limited opportunities. When this Training Specialist position with Intuitive Surgical opened up in San Diego or San Jose, we had to think about whether or not we would be willing to move because we loved Camarillo a lot! We both felt like God gave us peace about the potential for moving, if it meant that Bo could have a great opportunity doing a job that he would love. So....to make a very long story (Bo had to go through 9 interviews) short, God provided for us beyond what we could've asked for!

Below you will find a brief timeline to give you an idea of how quickly everything happened over the past month.

Mon, Dec 17th ................. Bo got offered the TS job in San Diego
Wed, Dec 19th ................. Bo gave his two weeks notice
Dec 22nd - Dec 27th ................. We flew to Minnesota for Christmas

Dec 28th ................. Drove to San Diego, toured 6 apartment complexes, test drove a car, spent the night in Irvine with Matt & Kimberly
Dec 29th ................. Drove BACK to San Diego, toured 4 more apartment complexes, test drove another car, bought a car, signed a lease, drove back to Camarillo
Dec 30th - Jan 1st ................. Went up to McFarland to celebrate New Years with the Bowmans

Jan 2nd ................. Bo started his new job with home study
Jan 6th - 11th ................. Bo flew to Dallas for a Sales Conference all week, while I packed up and cleaned our apartment
Jan 11th ................. Earl, Cindy, and Matt helped me with loading up the uhaul, and I picked up Bo from the airport
Jan 12th ................. Packed up our last few big pieces, said goodbye to Camarillo, drove down to our new place in San Diego, where we unloaded everything in a matter of a few hours with the help of 10 family members!!! It was amazing to have all their help!
Jan 13th ................. Unpacked EVERYTHING in one day with my mom and I!!! 
Jan 13th - 18th ................. Spent time with my parents as we unpacked and toured around a bunch of areas in San Diego.

Now we are continuing to settle in and decorate, which is my favorite part! Once our new couch set arrives next week, then I will be able to finish putting up some wall decor. As soon as everything is hung, you can expect to see a new blog complete with pictures. While this transition may have been a whirlwind at times, God has provided as He always does, and our trust and patience have grown immensely because of it! We can't wait to see how our "new life" unfolds and what adventures lie ahead!